Families of local soldiers in Iraq celebrated the capture of Saddam Hussein Sunday, but were unsure if U.S. troops would be any safer as a result.
"My guess is it will get worse for a few days then settle down," said Scott Chamley of Stanwood, whose 20-year-old son with the same name is a private first class in the Army.
"They’ll try one last big hurrah, and that will be it."
Stephanie Schweizer of Marysville, whose husband, Ryan, is a corporal, said she’s a little uneasy.
"It’s scary. The people might get angrier," she said.
Sandra Horne of Marysville said her brother, Pfc. Joshua S. Horne, called their parents Sunday at 5 a.m.
She relayed that the troops are excited, but "no, it’s not safe. It’s still a mess."
Sandra Horne said her brother has told her that most of the Iraqis are friendly and glad U.S. troops are over there.
"But some get off work and go American hunting," she added.
Like the Hornes, other local families got word of the capture early.
Stephanie Schweizer got the call at 6 a.m.
"He was on cloud 9," she said. "He feels like he served his purpose over there."
But that’s not all that was on his mind. The first thing he asked was if they were parents yet. Stephanie Schweizer is expecting a baby next week.
When she said no. He responded, "Well, we got Saddam," Stephanie Schweizer said.
She was so happy, "I called everyone I knew by 7 a.m."
Chamley got a call from a family member back east who told him about the news about 7 Sunday morning.
"I flew out of bed and turned on the news and watched for about an hour straight," he said.
Darrell Smith of Snohomish is excited about the news, even though his son won’t leave for Iraq for a few weeks.
A combat soldier in Vietnam, Smith choked up when talking about Tyler, who also is a combat soldier.
"For the families, it’s incremental relief," Smith said of Saddam’s capture. "For him (Tyler), it’s a little disappointment — Dammit, we didn’t get him. There’s some rivalry there."
Smith said he knows how his son feels because he’s been there.
"These guys love their country, and the more time they spend away from it, the more they love it," he said.
Smith said he’s proud of his son, but also feels guilty that he didn’t paint a different picture of war.
"We didn’t talk about it enough," he said, again choking with emotion.
Smith said he is glad to see the military taking better care of its soldiers. Tyler received his body armor — "a big relief for us" — and knee pads — "you got to get down on your belly to shoot."
"They’re treating them right this time," Smith said. "These kids are like gold to their families. They’re not spending them (soldiers) like a dime like they did in Vietnam."
Smith said Saddam’s capture is big for the families that hang on every word in the news.
"It indicates and gives us hope that things will take a different turn."
Sandra Horne agreed. She said Saddam’s capture will be good for the Iraqi people.
"They don’t have to worry about him coming back. They don’t have to look over their shoulder and have fear and doubts that he’s still out there.
"He’s not coming back. He’s done. He’s ours now."
Assistant city editor Steve Powell: 425-339-3427 or powell@heraldnet.com.
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